Liquid bleaching composition with improved safety to fabrics and colors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a liquid bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant. These compositions are suitable to deliver excellent stain removal performance and bleaching performance on fabrics, with improved safety to the fabrics and colors especially under pretreatment conditions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the bleaching of fabrics.

BACKGROUND

Peroxygen bleach-containing compositions have been described in laundryapplications as laundry detergents, laundry additives or even laundrypretreaters.

Indeed, it is known to use peroxygen bleach-containing compositionscomprising surfactants like zwitterionic betaine surfactants in laundryapplications to boost the removal of encrustated stains/soils which areotherwise particularly difficult to remove, such as grease, coffee, tea,grass, mud/clay-containing soils and the like. However, we have foundthat a drawback associated with such peroxygen bleach-containingcompositions comprising such surfactants is that said compositions maydamage fabrics and/or colors, resulting in loss of tensile strengthand/or color change/decoloration, especially when used in laundrypretreatment application, e.g., when applied directly (neat) onto thefabrics, and left to act onto said fabrics for prolonged periods of timebefore rinsing the fabrics, or washing and then rinsing the fabrics.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide improved fabricsafety and color safety upon bleaching, especially in pretreatmentapplications where the compositions are left neat into contact with thefabrics for prolonged periods of time before rinsing the fabrics, orwashing and then rinsing the fabrics.

It has now been found that improved fabric safety and color safety canbe achieved by formulating a liquid bleaching composition comprising aperoxygen bleach and a salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant.Indeed, it is by combining these ingredients that a liquid bleachingcomposition is provided which exhibits a great flexibility in the soilsit may clean while being safe to the fabrics bleached therewith as wellas to colors. Indeed using such salts free zwitterionic betainesurfactants instead of conventional zwitterionic betaine surfactantsprovides improved color and fabric safety.

Advantageously, the present compositions also provide effective stainremoval performance on various stains including greasy stains andeffective bleaching performance.

In a preferred embodiment these salts free zwitterionic betainesurfactants are used in combination with ethoxylated nonionicsurfactants. It has been found that the addition of such an ethoxylatednonionic surfactant in the compositions of the present invention furtherboosts the removal of various types of stains including greasy stainslike mayonnaise, vegetal oil, sebum, make-up, and more surprisinglyboost the bleaching performance.

Advantageously, the compositions of the present invention provideexcellent stain removal performance on a broad range of stains and soilsand excellent bleachable performance when used in any laundryapplication, e.g., as a laundry detergent or a laundry additive, andespecially when used as a laundry pretreater, or even in other householdapplications like in hard surface cleaning applications.

A further advantage is that the compositions herein are physically andchemically stable upon prolonged periods of storage.

Yet another advantage of the compositions according to the presentinvention is that they are able to perform in a variety of conditions,i.e., in hard and soft water as well as when used neat or diluted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a liquid bleaching compositioncomprising a peroxygen bleach and a salt free zwitterionic betainesurfactant.

The present invention also encompasses the use of a salt freezwitterionic betaine surfactant, in a liquid peroxygen bleach-containingcomposition, for the bleaching of fabrics, for reducing the loss oftensile strength in said fabrics.

The present invention also encompasses the use of a salt freezwitterionic betaine surfactant, in a liquid peroxygen bleach-containingcomposition, for the bleaching of fabrics, for reducing color damage tosaid fabrics.

The present invention further encompasses processes of bleaching fabricsstarting from a liquid composition as defined herein. The processes ofbleaching fabrics include the steps of contacting said fabrics with theliquid composition herein neat or diluted, and subsequently rinsing saidfabrics. In the preferred embodiment, when the fabrics are “pretreated”,the composition is applied neat on the fabrics, and the fabrics aresubsequently washed in a normal wash cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Liquid Cleaning Composition

The compositions according to the present invention are liquidcompositions as opposed to a solid or a gas. As used herein “liquid”includes “pasty” compositions. The liquid compositions herein arepreferably aqueous compositions. The liquid compositions according tothe present invention preferably have a pH up to 7, more preferably from1 to 6, and even more preferably from 1.5 to 5.5. Formulating thecompositions according to the present invention in the acidic pH rangecontributes to the chemical stability of the compositions and to thestain removal performance of the compositions. The pH of thecompositions may be adjusted by any acidifying agents known to thoseskilled in the art. Examples of acidifying agents are organic acids suchas citric acid and inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid.

Peroxygen Bleach

As a first essential element the compositions according to the presentinvention comprise a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. Indeed, thepresence of peroxygen bleach contributes to the excellent bleachingbenefits of said compositions. Suitable peroxygen bleaches to be usedherein are hydrogen peroxide, water soluble sources thereof, or mixturesthereof. As used herein a hydrogen peroxide source refers to anycompound which produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is incontact with water.

Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use hereininclude percarbonates, persilicates, persulphates such asmonopersulfate, perborates, peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecandioicacid (DPDA), magnesium perphtalic acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic andalkylperbenzoic acids, hydroperoxides, aliphatic and aromatic diacylperoxides, and mixtures thereof. Preferred peroxygen bleaches herein arehydrogen peroxide, hydroperoxide and/or diacyl peroxide. Hydrogenperoxide is the most preferred peroxygen bleach herein.

Suitable hydroperoxides for use herein are tert-butyl hydroperoxide,cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide,di-isopropylbenzenemonohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide and2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide. Such hydroperoxides have theadvantage to be particularly safe to fabrics and color while deliveringexcellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry application.

Suitable aliphatic diacyl peroxides for use herein are dilauroylperoxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide, or mixturesthereof. Suitable aromatic diacyl peroxide for use herein is for examplebenzoyl peroxide. Such diacyl peroxides have the advantage to beparticularly safe to fabrics and color while delivering excellentbleaching performance when used in any laundry application.

Typically, the compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 20% by weightof the total composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof,preferably from 1% to 15% and more preferably from 2% to 10%.

Salt Free Zwitterionic Betaine Surfactant

As a second essential element the compositions according to the presentinvention comprise a salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant or amixture thereof.

Typically, the compositions of the present invention comprise from0.001% to 20% by weight of the total composition of a salt freezwitterionic betaine surfactant or a mixture thereof, preferably from0.01% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.5% to 8% and mostpreferably from 1% to 5%.

By “salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactants”, it is meant herein thatthe zwitterionic betaine surfactant (raw material) herein contains lessthan 5% by weight of salts, preferably less than 3%, more preferablyless than 2%, even more preferably less than 1% and most preferably from0.01% to 0.5%.

By “salts” is in meant herein any material having as base unit, a couplemade of positive ion (or positive molecular ion) and negative ion (ornegative molecular ion) containing one or more halogen atoms. Such saltsinclude sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bromide and thelike.

Such salts free zwitterionic betaine surfactants are obtainable byconventional manufacturing processes like inverse osmosis orfractionated precipitation. For example inverse osmosis is based on theprinciple of contacting the zwitterionic betaine surfactant raw material(commercially available) with a polar solvent (it is to be understoodthat such a solvent is free of salts) separated by a semi-permeablemembrane for example acetate-cellulose. An adequate pressure is appliedon the system to allow the salts to migrate from the surfactant rawmaterial to the polar solvent phase. This way the zwitterionic betainesurfactant raw material is purified, i.e. the salts is subtracted fromthe raw material.

Suitable salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactants for use hereincontain both a cationic hydrophilic group, i.e., a quaternary ammoniumgroup, and anionic hydrophilic group on the same molecule at arelatively wide range of pH's. The typical anionic hydrophilic groupsare carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups like sulfates,phosphonates, and the like can be used. A generic formula for thezwitterionic betaine surfactants to be used herein is:

R₁—N⁺(R₂)(R₃)R₄X⁻

wherein R₁ is a hydrophobic group; R₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or other substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl group; R₃ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or other substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl group which can also be joined toR₂ to form ring structures with the N, or a C₁-C₆ sulfonate group; R₄ isa moiety joining the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group andis typically an alkylene, hydroxy alkylene, or polyalkoxy groupcontaining from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and X is the hydrophilic groupwhich is a carboxylate or sulfonate group.

Preferred hydrophobic groups R₁ are aliphatic or aromatic, saturated orunsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chains that cancontain linking groups such as amido groups, ester groups. Morepreferred R₁ is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms,preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 10 to 16. These simplealkyl groups are preferred for cost and stability reasons. However, thehydrophobic group R₁ can also be an amido radical of the formulaR_(a)—C(O)—NH—(C(R_(b))₂)_(m), wherein R_(a) is an aliphatic oraromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstitutedhydrocarbon chain, preferably an alkyl group containing from 8 up to 20carbon atoms, preferably up to 18, more preferably up to 16, R_(b) isselected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and mis from 1 to 4, preferably from 2 to 3, more preferably 3, with no morethan one hydroxy group in any (C(R_(b))₂) moiety.

Preferred R₂ is hydrogen, or a C₁-C₃ alkyl and more preferably methyl.Preferred R₃ is C1-C4 sulfonate group, or a C₁-C₃ alkyl and morepreferably methyl. Preferred R₄ is (CH2)_(n) wherein n is an integerfrom 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably is from 1 to 3.

Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethyl betaines includecoconut-dimethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, decyl dimethylbetaine, 2-(N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl-ammonia)acetate, 2-(N-cocoN,N-dimethylammonio) acetate, myristyl dimethyl betaine, palmityldimethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl betaine.

Examples of amidobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine or C10-C14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine.

All these zwitterionic betaine surfactants contains less than 5% ofsalts.

It has now been found that these salt free zwitterionic betainesurfactants reduce the tensile strength loss when used instead ofconventional zwitterionic betaine surfactants in a liquid peroxygenbleach-containing composition to bleach fabrics.

It has further been found that these salt free zwitterionic betainesurfactants reduce color damage (i.e., color change and/or decoloration)when used instead of conventional zwitterionic betaine surfactants in aliquid peroxygen bleach-containing composition to bleach fabrics.

The reduced tensile strength loss and reduced color damage are observedeven if the composition is left onto the soiled coloured fabrics uponprolonged periods of time before rinsing or washing then rinsing thefabrics, e.g. 24 hours. Actually, the presence of these salt freezwilterionic betaine surfactants in a peroxygen bleach-containingcomposition prevents the decomposition (oxidation) of dyes generallypresent on the surface of coloured fabrics such as bleach sensitive dyesand/or metallized dyes including copper-formazan dyes and/or metal-azodyes.

It is speculated that the presence of salts in the zwitterionic betainesurfactants, i.e. the halides like Cl—, Br— and the like, catalyses theradical decomposition of peroxygen bleaches like hydrogen peroxide andoxidation. Thus, it is believed that a radical reaction occurs on thesurface of the fabrics with generation of free radicals, which resultsin loss of tensile strength and/or colour damage. Using the salts freezwitterionic betaine surfactants reduces the radical and oxidativedecomposition of the peroxygen bleach, and thus results in reducedtensile strength loss and reduced colour damage.

The tensile strength in a fabric may be measured by stretching saidfabric until it breaks. The force needed to break the fabric is the“Ultimate Tensile Stress” and may be measured with a stress-strainINSTRON® machine available from INSTRON. The loss of tensile strength isthe difference between the tensile strength of a fabric taken as areference, e.g. a fabric which has not been bleached, and the tensilestrength of the same fabric after having been bleached with acomposition of the present invention. A tensile strength loss of zeromeans that no fabric damage is observed.

The colour safety can be evaluated visually by comparing side by sidefabrics pretreated with a composition of the present invention and thereference composition. Differences and graduations in colour can bevisually assessed and ranked according to Panel Score Units (PSU) usingany suitable scale. PSU data can be handled statistically usingconventional techniques. Alternatively, various types of opticalapparatus and procedures can be used to assess the improvement in coloursafety afforded by the present invention. For example when evaluatingcolour safety on fabrics measurements with Hunterlab colour Quest 45/0apparatus can be used.

Importantly, the liquid compositions herein are clear and transparentcompositions.

The appearance of a composition can be evaluated via turbidimetricanalysis. For example, the transparency of a composition can beevaluated by measuring its absorbency via a spectrophotometer at 800 nmwave length.

An advantage of the liquid compositions of the present invention is thatthey are physically and chamically stable upon prolonged periods ofstorage.

Chemical stability of the compositions herein may be evaluated bymeasuring the concentration of available oxygen (often abbreviated toAvO2) at given storage time after having manufactured the compositions.The concentration of available oxygen can be measured by chemicaltitration methods known in the art, such as the iodometric method,thiosulphatimetric method, the permanganometric method and thecerimetric method. Said methods and the criteria for the choice of theappropriate method are described for example in “Hydrogen Peroxide”, W.C. Schumb, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, Reinhold PublishingCorporation, New York, 1955 and “Organic Peroxides”, Daniel Swern,Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.

By “physically stable”, it is meant herein that no phase separationoccurs in the compositions for a period of 7 days at 50° C.

Optional Ingredients

The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optionalingredients such as chelating agents, builders, other surfactants,stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, soil suspendingpolyamine polymers, polymeric soil release agents, radical scavengers,catalysts, dye transfer agents, solvents, brighteners, perfumes,pigments and dyes.

Surfactants

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise othersurfactants than the ones mentioned hereinbefore including nonionicsurfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and/or amphotericsurfactants.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention maycomprise from 0.01% to 30% by weight of the total composition of anothersurfactant on top of the salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant,preferably from 0.1% to 25% and more preferably from 0.5% to 20%.

Particularly preferred surfactants herein are nonionic surfactants likealkoxylated nonionic surfactants. Suitable ethoxylated nonionicsurfactants herein are ethoxylated nonionic surfactants according to theformula RO-—(C₂H₄O)_(n)H, wherein R is a C₆ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₆to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and wherein n is from 0 to 20, preferablyfrom 1 to 15 and, more preferably from 2 to 15 and most preferably from2 to 12. The preferred R chains for use herein are the C₈ to C₂₂ alkylchains. Propoxylated nonionic surfactants and ethoxy/propoxylated onesmay also be used herein instead of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactantsas defined herein above or together with said surfactants

Preferred ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are according to the formulaabove and have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) below 16,preferably below 15, and more preferably below 14. Those ethoxylatednonionic surfactants have been found to provide good grease cuttingproperties.

Accordingly suitable ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein areDobanol^(R) 91-2.5 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture of C9 and C₁₁ alkyl chains,n is 2.5), or Lutensol^(R) TO3 (HLB=8; R is a C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 3),or Lutensol^(R) AO3 (HLB=8; R is a mixture of C₁₃ and C₁₅ alkyl chains,n is 3), or Tergitol^(R) 25L3 (HLB=7.7; R is in the range of C₁₂ to C₁₅alkyl chain length, n is 3), or Dobanol^(R) 23-3 (HLB=8.1; R is amixture of C₁₂ and C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 3), or Dobanol^(R) 23-2(HLB=6.2; R is a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 2), orDobanol^(R) 45-7 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C₁₄ and C₁₅ alkyl chains,n is 7) Dobanol^(R) 23-6.5 (HLB=11.9; R is a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₃alkyl chains, n is 6.5), or Dobanol^(R) 25-7 (HLB=12; R is a mixture ofC₁₂ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, n is 7), or Dobanol^(R) 91-5 (HLB=11.6; R is amixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 5), or Dobanol^(R) 91-6(HLB=12.5 ; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 6), orDobanol^(R) 91-8 (HLB=13.7; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, nis 8), Dobanol^(R) 91-10 (HLB=14.2 ; R is a mixture of C₉ to C₁₁ alkylchains, n is 10), or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol^(R)91-2.5 , or Lutensol^(R) TO3, or Lutensol^(R) AO3, or Tergitol^(R) 25L3,or Dobanol^(R) 23-3, or Dobanol^(R) 23-2, or mixtures thereof. TheseDobanol^(R) surfactants are commercially available from SHELL. TheseLutensol^(R) surfactants are commercially available from BASF and theseTergitol^(R) surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBIDE.

Suitable chemical processes for preparing the ethoxylated nonionicsurfactants for use herein include condensation of correspondingalcohols with alkylene oxide, in the desired proportions. Such processesare well-known to the man skilled in the art and have been extensivelydescribed in the art.

The compositions herein may desirably comprise one of those ethoxylatednonionic surfactants or a mixture of those ethoxylated nonionicsurfactants having different HLBs (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance). In apreferred embodiment the compositions herein comprise an ethoxylatednonionic surfactant according to the above formula and having an HLB upto 10 (i.e., a so called hydrophobic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant),preferably below 10, more preferably below 9, and an ethoxylatednonionic surfactant according to the above formula and having an HLBabove 10 to 16 (i.e., a so called hydrophilic ethoxylated nonionicsurfactant), preferably from 11 to 14. Indeed, in this preferredembodiment the compositions of the present invention typically comprisefrom 0.01% to 15% by weight of the total composition of said hydrophobicethoxylated nonionic surfactant, preferably from 0.5% to 10% and from0.01% to 15% by weight of said hydrophilic ethoxylated nonionicsurfactant, preferably from 0.5% to 10%. Such mixtures of ethoxylatednonionic surfactants with different HLBs may be desired as they allowoptimum grease cleaning removal performance on a broader range of greasysoils having different hydrophobic/hydrophilic characters.

The ethoxylated nonionic surfactants herein have the ability to furtherboost the stain removal performance delivered by the salt free betainezwitterionic surfactants herein on greasy stains, while providingimproved bleaching performance to the liquid peroxygen bleach-containingcompositions of the present invention comprising them.

Indeed, a significant cooperation has been observed between theseingredients to get optimum stain removal performance on a variety ofsoils, from particulate to non-particulate soils from hydrophobic tohydrophilic soils under any household application and especially laundryapplication on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fabrics.

In a preferred embodiment herein optimum stain removal performance andbleaching performance are obtained when the ethoxylated nonionicsurfactant and the salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant are presentin the compositions of the present invention comprising a peroxygenbleach (pH up to 7), at weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionicsurfactant to the salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant of from 0.01to 20, preferably from 0.1 to 15, more preferably from 0.5 to 5 and mostpreferably from 0.8 to 3.

Advantageously, excellent stain removal performance and bleachingperformance can be obtained with the compositions herein at low totallevel of surfactants. Typically, the compositions herein comprise from0.01% to 35% by weight of the total composition of ethoxylated nonionicsurfactant and salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant, preferablyfrom 0.1% to 15%, more preferably from 0.5% to 10%, even more preferablybelow 10% and most preferably from 1% to 8%.

The use of ethoxylated nonionic surfactant on top of the salt freezwitterionic betaine surfactant, in a liquid aqueous compositioncomprising a peroxygen bleach (pH up to 7), boosts the bleachingperformance and the removal of various types of stains including greasystains (e.g., lipstick, olive oil, mayonnaise, vegetal oil, sebum,make-up), as compared to the bleaching and stain removal performancedelivered by the same composition based only on one of these surfactants(i.e., ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or zwitterionic betainesurfactant) at equal total level of surfactants. For example, it is onlyat very high levels of salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactants, ascompared the total level of ethoxylated nonionic surfactants and saltfree zwitterionic betaine surfactants present in the compositions of thepresent invention that similar grease cleaning benefit is observed.

The stain removal performance may be evaluated by the following testmethods on various type of stains.

A suitable test method for evaluating the stain removal performance on asoiled fabric for example under pretreatment condition is the following:A composition according to the present invention is applied neat to afabric preferably to the soiled portion of the fabric, left to act from1 to 10 minutes, and said pretreated fabric is then washed according tocommon washing conditions, at a temperature of from 30° to 70° C. forfrom 10 to 100 minutes. The stain removal is then evaluated by comparingside by side the soiled fabric pretreated with the composition of thepresent invention with those pretreated with the reference, e.g., thesame composition but comprising only an alkoxylated nonionic surfactantor only a salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant as the solesurfactant. A visual grading may be used to assign difference in panelunits (psu) in a range from 0 to 4.

The bleaching performance may be evaluated as for the stain removalperformance but the stains used are bleachable stains like coffee, teaand the like.

Other suitable nonionic surfactants to be used herein includepolyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, or mixtures thereof, accordingto the formula:

R²—C(O)—N(R¹)—Z,

wherein R¹ is H, or C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl,2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture thereof, R² is C₅-C₃₁ hydrocarbyl, and Zis a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with atleast 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylatedderivative thereof.

Preferably, R¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl, more preferably C₁ or C₂ alkyl and mostpreferably methyl, R² is a straight chain C₇-C₁₉ alkyl or alkenyl,preferably a straight chain C₉-C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably astraight chain C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl or alkenyl, and most preferably a straightchain C₁₁-C₁₄ alkyl or alkenyl, or mixtures thereof. Z preferably willbe derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; morepreferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose,fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose and xylose. As rawmaterials, high dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and highmaltose corn syrup can be utilised as well as the individual sugarslisted above. These corn syrups may yield a mix of sugar components forZ. It should be understood that it is by no means intended to excludeother suitable raw materials. Z preferably will be selected from thegroup consisting of —CH₂—(CHOH)_(n)—CH₂OH,—CH(CH₂OH)—(CHOH)_(n−1)—CH₂OH, —CH₂—(CHOH)₂—(CHOR′)(CHOH)—CH₂OH, where nis an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R′ is H or a cyclic oraliphatic monosaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Mostpreferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly CH₂—(CHOH)₄—CH₂OH.

In formula R²—C(O)—N(R¹)—Z, R¹ can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl,N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxypropyl. R²—C(O)—N< can be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide,lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide and thelike. Z can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl,1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxymannityl,1-deoxymaltotriotityl and the like.

Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants to be used herein maybe commercially available under the trade name HOE® from Hoechst.

Methods for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are known inthe art. In general, they can be made by reacting an alkyl amine with areducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction to form a correspondingN-alkyl polyhydroxyamine, and then reacting the N-alkyl polyhydroxyaminewith a fatty aliphatic ester or triglyceride in a condensation/amidationstep to form the N-alkyl, N-polyhydroxy fatty acid amide product.Processes for making compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acidamides are disclosed for example in GB patent specification 809,060,published Feb. 18, 1959, by Thomas Hedley & Co., Ltd., U.S. Pat. No.2,965,576, issued Dec. 20, 1960 to E. R. Wilson, U.S. Pat. No.2,703,798, Anthony M. Schwartz, issued Mar. 8, 1955, U.S. Pat. No.1,985,424, issued Dec. 25, 1934 to Piggott and WO92/06070, each of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable anionic surfactants to be used in the compositions hereininclude water-soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO₃M wherein Rpreferably is a C₁₀-C₂₄ hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkylhaving a C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl component, more preferably a C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl orhydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation(e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium(e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternaryammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdiniumcations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such asethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and thelike). Typically, alkyl chains of C₁₂-₁₆ are preferred for lower washtemperatures (e.g., below about 50° C.) and C₁₆-₁₈ alkyl chains arepreferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g., above about 50° C.).

Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein are water-solublesalts or acids of the formula RO(A)_(m)SO₃M wherein R is anunsubstituted C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C₁₀-C₂₄ alkylcomponent, preferably a C₁₂-C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferablyC₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m isgreater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, morepreferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation whichcan be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium,calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation.Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylated sulfates arecontemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cationsinclude methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-ammonium, and quaternary ammoniumcations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium dimethyl piperdinium and cationsderived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine,triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants areC₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate, C₁₂-C₁₈E(1.0)M), C₁₂-C₁₈alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate, C₁₂-C₁₈E(2.25)M), C₁₂-C₁₈ alkylpolyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate C₁₂-C₁₈E(3.0), and C₁₂-C₁₈ alkylpolyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate C₁₂-C₁₈E(4.0)M), wherein M is convenientlyselected from sodium and potassium.

Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be usedherein. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium,potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₉-C₂₀ linearalkylbenzenesulfonates, C₈-C₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulfonates,C₈-C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared bysulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates,e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C₁₄₋₁₆ methyl ester sulfonates;acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenolethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates,isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkylsuccinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate(especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) diesters ofsulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₄ diesters),sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates ofalkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being describedbelow), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylatessuch as those of the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(k)CH₂COO—M⁺ wherein R is aC₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a solublesalt-forming cation Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are alsosuitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids andhydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil. Furtherexamples are given in “Surface Active Agents and Detergents” (Vol. I andII by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are alsogenerally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678, issued Dec. 30, 1975, toLaughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23(herein incorporated by reference).

Other suitable anionic surfactants to be used herein also include acylsarcosinate or mixtures thereof, in its acid and/or salt form,preferably long chain acyl sarcosinates having the following formula:

wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkylgroup of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably of from 11 to 13 carbonatoms. Preferred M are hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especiallysodium and potassium. Said acyl sarcosinate surfactants are derived fromnatural fatty acids and the amino-acid sarcosine (N-methyl glycine).They are suitable to be used as aqueous solution of their salt or intheir acidic form as powder. Being derivatives of natural fatty acids,said acyl sarcosinates are rapidly and completely biodegradable and havegood skin compatibility.

Accordingly, suitable long chain acyl sarcosinates to be used hereininclude C₁₂ acyl sarcosinate (i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according to theabove formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbonatoms) and C₁₄ acyl sarcosinate (i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according tothe above formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13carbon atoms). C₁₂ acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, forexample, as Hamposyl L-30® supplied by Hampshire. C₁₄ acyl sarcosinateis commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl M-30® supplied byHampshire.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants to be used herein include amine oxideshaving the following formula R₁R₂R₃NO wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 isindependently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear orbranched hydrocarbon chains of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferredamine oxide surfactants to be used according to the present inventionare amine oxides having the following formula R₁R₂R₃NO wherein R1 is anhydrocarbon chain comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from6 to 20, more preferably from 8 to 16, most preferably from 8 to 12, andwherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linearor branched hydrocarbon chains comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methylgroups. R1 may be a saturated substituted or unsubstituted linear orbranched hydrocarbon chain. Suitable amine oxides for use herein are forinstance natural blend C8-C10 amine oxides as well as C12-C16 amineoxides commercially available from Hoechst.

Chelating Agents

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the ionic strength ofthe compositions is higher than 1.10⁻⁴ M, preferably higher than 5.10⁻³M, and more preferably higher than 1.10⁻³ M. Indeed, it has beenobserved that formulating the compositions of the present invention withsuch high ionic strength further contributes to improved stain removalperformance and improved bleaching performance. The higher the ionicstrength the better the stain removal and bleaching performance. Indeed,it is speculated that under the preferred pH conditions of the presentcompositions (acidic to neutral), especially when the pH of thecomposition is higher than the pka of the salt free zwitterionic betainesurfactant present therein, said surfactant is in a dipolar form and itspacking is strongly influenced by the ionic strength.

The ionic strength of a composition may be increased by the addition ofvarious ingredients like chelating agents or mixtures thereof.

Accordingly, the compositions of the present invention may comprise achelating agent as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelatingagents may be any of those known to those skilled in the art such as theones selected from the group comprising phosphonate chelating agents,amino carboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, ethylenediamineN,N′-disuccinic acids, or mixtures thereof.

A chelating agent may be desired in the compositions of the presentinvention as it allows to increase the ionic strength of thecompositions herein and thus their stain removal and bleachingperformance on various surfaces. The presence of chelating agents mayalso contribute to the benefits of the present compositions, i.e., toreduce the tensile strength loss of fabrics and/or color damage,especially in a laundry pretreatment application. Indeed, the chelatingagents inactivate the metal ions present on the surface of the fabricsand/or in the cleaning compositions (neat or diluted) that otherwisewould contribute to the radical decomposition of the peroxygen bleach.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may includealkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates (HEDP), alkylene poly(alkylene phosphonate), as well as amino phosphonate compounds,including amino aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid) (ATMP), nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates (NTP), ethylene diamine tetra methylenephosphonates, and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates(DTPMP). The phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acidform or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acidfunctionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be usedherein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate (DTPMP) andethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonate (HEDP). Such phosphonate chelating agentsare commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also beuseful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issuedMay 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acidform are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth,ammonium or substitutes ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof.Ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acids, especially the (S,S) isomer havebeen extensively described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Nov. 3, 1987, toHartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acids is, forinstance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS® from PalmerResearch Laboratories.

Suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein include ethylene diaminetetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triaminepentaacetate (DTPA),N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates,nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates,triethylenetetraaminehexaacetates, ethanol-diglycines, propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), both intheir acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substitutedammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable amino carboxylates to be usedherein are diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) which is, for instance, commercially availablefrom BASF under the trade name Trilon FS® and methyl glycine di-aceticacid (MGDA).

Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein include salicylicacid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, malonic acid or mixturesthereof.

Another chelating agent for use herein is of the formula:

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of —H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, —Cl, —Br, —NO₂, —C(O)R′,and —SO₂R″; wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH,alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy; R″ is selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy; and R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈are independently selected from the group consisting of —H and alkyl.

Particularly preferred chelating agents to be used herein are aminoaminotri(methylene phosphonic acid), di-ethylene-triamino-pentaaceticacid, diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate, 1-hydroxy ethanediphosphonate, ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acid, and mixturesthereof.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 5% by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 1.5% by weight and morepreferably from 0.01% to 0.5%.

Radical Scavenger

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a radicalscavenger or a mixture thereof. Suitable radical scavengers for useherein include the well-known substituted mono and dihydroxy benzenesand their analogs, alkyl and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof.Preferred such radical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butylhydroxy toluene (BHT), hydroquinone, di-tert-butyl hydroquinone,mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone, tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole, benzoic acid,toluic acid, catechol, t-butyl catechol, benzylamine,1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, n-propyl-gallateor mixtures thereof and highly preferred is di-tert-butyl hydroxytoluene. Such radical scavengers like N-propyl-gallate may becommercially available from Nipa Laboratories under the trade nameNipanox S1®. Radical scavengers when used, are typically present hereinin amounts ranging from up to 10% by weight of the total composition andpreferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight.

The presence of radical scavengers may contribute to the benefits of thepresent compositions, i.e., to reduce tensile strength loss of fabricsand/or color damage when the compositions of the present invention areused in any laundry application, especially in a laundry pretreatmentapplication.

Antioxidants

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprisean antioxidant or mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions hereincomprise up to 10% by weight of the total composition of an antioxidantor mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002% to 5%, more preferably from0.005% to 2%, and most preferably from 0.01% to 1%.

Suitable antioxidants to be used herein include organic acids likecitric acid, ascorbic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid and sorbic acid,or amines like lecithin, or aminoacids like glutamine, methionine andcysteine, or esters like ascorbil palmitate, ascorbil stearate andtriethylcitrate, or mixtures thereof. Preferred antioxidants for useherein are citric acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbil palmitate, lecithin ormixtures thereof.

Bleach Activators

As an optional ingredient, the compositions of the present invention maycomprise a bleach activator or mixtures thereof. By “bleach activator”,it is meant herein a compound which reacts with hydrogen peroxide toform a peracid. The peracid thus formed constitutes the activatedbleach. Suitable bleach activators to be used herein include thosebelonging to the class of esters, amides, imides, or anhydrides.Examples of suitable compounds of this type are disclosed in BritishPatent GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231 and a method for their formationinto a prilled form is described in European Published PatentApplication EP-A-62 523. Suitable examples of such compounds to be usedherein are tetracetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5 trimethylhexanoyloxybenzene sulphonate, diperoxy dodecanoic acid as described forinstance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,425 and nonylamide of peroxyadipic acidas described for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,201 andn-nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (NOBS). Also suitable are N-acylcaprolactams selected from the group consisting of substituted orunsubstituted benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, nonanoylcaprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoylcaprolactam, formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoylcaprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam pentanoyl caprolactam or mixturesthereof. A particular family of bleach activators of interest wasdisclosed in EP 624 154, and particularly preferred in that family isacetyl triethyl citrate (ATC). Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantagethat it is environmental-friendly as it eventually degrades into citricacid and alcohol. Furthermore, acetyl triethyl citrate has a goodhydrolytical stability in the product upon storage and it is anefficient bleach activator. Finally, it provides good building capacityto the composition. The compositions according to the present inventionmay comprise from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition ofsaid bleach activator, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 1% to 10%,and more preferably from 3% to 7%

Process of Pretreating Fabrics

In the present invention, the liquid composition of the presentinvention is applied neat onto at least a portion of a soiled fabric,optionally left to act onto said fabric, typically for a period of timeof a few seconds to several hours, before the fabric is rinsed, orwashed then rinsed.

In this mode, the neat compositions can optionally be left to act ontosaid fabrics for a period of time ranging from 10 seconds to 1 hour,preferably 1 minute to 15 minutes, more preferably 1 minute to 5 minutesbefore the fabrics are rinsed, or washed then rinsed, provided that thecomposition is not left to dry onto said fabrics. For particularlythough stains, it may be appropriate to further rub or brush saidfabrics by means of a sponge or a brush, or by rubbing two pieces offabrics against each other.

By “washing”, it is to be understood herein that the fabrics arecontacted with a conventional detergent composition comprising at leastone surface active agent in an aqueous bath, this washing may occur bymeans of a washing machine or simply by hands.

By “in its neat form”, it is to be understood that the liquidcompositions are applied directly onto the fabrics to be pretreatedwithout undergoing any dilution, i.e. the liquid compositions herein areapplied onto the fabrics as described herein.

According to the process of pretreating soiled fabrics of the presentinvention, the liquid aqueous compositions herein should preferably notbe left to dry onto the fabrics. It has been found that waterevaporation contributes to increase the concentration of free radicalsonto the surface of the fabrics and, consequently, the rate of chainreaction. It is also speculated that an auto-oxidation reaction occursupon evaporation of water when the liquid compositions are left to dryonto the fabrics. Said reaction of auto-oxidation generatesperoxy-radicals which may contribute to the degradation of cellulose.Thus, not leaving the liquid compositions, as described herein, to dryonto the fabrics, in a process of pretreating soiled fabrics,contributes to reduce the tensile strength loss and/or colour damagewhen pretreating fabrics with liquid peroxygen bleach-containingcompositions.

The compositions herein may also be used in a “soaking mode” where acomposition, as defined herein, is first diluted in an aqueous bath andthe fabrics are immersed and soaked in the bath, before they are rinsed,or in a “through the wash mode”, where a composition, as defined herein,is added on top of a wash liquor formed by dissolution or dispersion ofa typical laundry detergent. It is also essential in both cases, thatthe fabrics be rinsed after they have been contacted with saidcomposition, before said composition has completely dried off.

In another mode, generally referred to as “soaking”, the processcomprises the steps of diluting said liquid composition in its neat formin an aqueous bath so as to form a diluted composition. The dilutionlevel of the liquid composition in an aqueous bath is typically up to1:85, preferably up to 1:50 and more preferably about 1:25(composition:water). The fabrics are then contacted with the aqueousbath comprising the liquid composition, and the fabrics are finallyrinsed, or washed then rinsed. Preferably in that embodiment, thefabrics are immersed in the aqueous bath comprising the liquidcomposition, and also preferably, the fabrics are left to soak thereinfor a period of time ranging from 1 minute to 48 hours, preferably from1 hour to 24 hours.

In yet another mode which can be considered as a sub-embodiment of“soaking”, generally referred to as “bleaching through the wash”, theliquid composition is used as a so-called laundry additive. And in thatembodiment the aqueous bath is formed by dissolving or dispersing aconventional laundry detergent in water. The liquid composition in itsneat form is contacted with the aqueous bath, and the fabrics are thencontacted with the aqueous bath containing the liquid composition.Finally, the fabrics are rinsed.

Depending on the end-use envisioned, the compositions herein can bepackaged in a variety of containers including conventional bottles,bottles equipped with roll-on, sponge, brusher or sprayers.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients in thelisted proportions (weight % unless otherwise specified).

Compositions I II III IV V VI VII VIII Dobanol ® — — — 1.6 — — 1.6 —91-10 Dobanol ® — 2.0 1.6 — 2.6 1.6 — 2.0 45-7 Dobanol ® — — 2.0 2.0 1.02.0 2.0 — 23-3 Salt-free 5.0 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.0 5.0 5.0 Betaine* H₂O₂7.0 7.0 6.0 7.0 5.8 7.0 7.0 7.0 HEDP  0.16 —  0.16 —  0.16  0.16  0.16 0.16 DTPMP —  0.18 —  0.18 — — — — Propyl gallate 0.1 0.1 — — — 0.1 0.10.1 BHT — — 0.1 0.1 0.1 — — — Citric acid  0.05  0.05  0.50  0.05  0.50 0.05  0.05  0.05 Water and up to 100% minors H2SO4 up to pH 4 or 5

HEDP is 1-hydroxy-ethane diphosphonate.

DTPMP is diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate.

BHT is di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene

Salt-free Betaine* is Lauryl di-methyl betaine containing 0.3% by weightof sodium chloride. This betaine is obtainable by purification fromcommercially available Lauryl di-methyl betaine GENAGEN LAB® (Hoechst)(which contains 7.5% of sodium chloride).

Compositions I to VIII when used to bleach soiled coloured fabricsexhibit excellent overall stain removal performance especially on greasystains like lipstick, make-up, olive oil, mayonnaise, sebum and thelike, and excellent bleaching performance while being safe to both thefabrics and colors.

When used in a pretreatment mode, any of the compositions I to VIII isapplied neat on the stained portion of a fabric and left to act thereonfor 5 minutes. Then the fabric is washed with a conventional detergentand rinsed.

When used in a bleaching-through-the-wash mode, any of the compositionsI to VIII is contacted with an aqueous bath formed by dissolution of aconventional detergent in water. Fabrics are then contacted with theaqueous bath comprising the liquid detergent, and the fabrics arerinsed. They can also be used in a soaking mode, where 100 ml of theliquid compositions are diluted in 10 liters of water. The fabrics arethen contacted with this aqueous bath containing the composition, andleft to soak therein for a period of time of 24 hours. The fabrics areeventually rinsed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid bleaching composition comprising: a)from 0.01% to 20% by weight, of a peroxygen bleach; and b) from 0.001%to 20% by weight, of a zwitterionic betaine surfactant which comprisesless than 5% by weight, of salts.
 2. A composition according to claim 1wherein said composition comprises from 0.01% to 10% by weight, of saidsurfactant.
 3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein saidcomposition comprises from 0.5% to 8% by weight, of said surfactant. 4.A composition according to claim 3 wherein said composition comprisesfrom 1% to 5% by weight, of said surfactant.
 5. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein said composition comprises from 1% to 15% by weight,of said peroxygen bleach.
 6. A composition according to claim 5 whereinsaid composition comprises from 2% to 10% by weight, of said peroxygenbleach.
 7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said surfactanthas the formula:

wherein R₁ has the formula:

R_(a) is C₈-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated aliphatic, C₈-C₂₀ substitutedor unsubstituted aliphatic, C₈-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstitutedaromatic; and mixtures thereof; R_(b) is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or mixturesthereof; m is from 1 to 4; R₂ and R₃ are each independently hydrogen,C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ substituted alkyl, C₁-C₆ hydroxy alkyl, C₁-C₆sulfonate, and mixtures thereof; or R₂ and R₃ can be taken together toform a ring which includes the N atom; R₄ is C₁-C₁₀ alkylene, C₁-C₁₀hydroxy alkylene, C₁-C₁₀ polyalkyleneoxy, and mixtures thereof; X iscarboxylate, sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.
 8. A composition accordingto claim 7 wherein R_(a) is C₈-C₁₈ alkyl.
 9. A composition according toclaim 8 wherein R_(a) is C₈-C₁₆ alkyl.
 10. A composition according toclaim 7 wherein m is 2 or
 3. 11. A composition according to claim 10wherein m is
 3. 12. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidperoxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide or a source of hydrogen peroxideselected from the group consisting of percarbonates, persilicates,persulphates, peroxyacids, hydroperoxides, diacyl peroxides, andmixtures thereof.
 13. A composition according to claim 12 wherein saidhydroperoxides are selected from the group consisting of tert-butylhydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide,2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzenemonohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxid, and 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide.
 14. A composition according to claim 12wherein said diacyl peroxide is selected from the group consisting ofdilauroyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide, andmixtures thereof.
 15. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidsurfactant comprises less than 3% by weight, of salt.
 16. A compositionaccording to claim 15 wherein said surfactant comprises less than 2% byweight, of salt.
 17. A composition according to claim 16 wherein saidsurfactant comprises less than 1% by weight, of salt.
 18. A compositionaccording to claim 17 wherein said surfactant comprises from 0.01% to0.5% by weight, of salt.
 19. A composition according to claim 1 furthercomprising from 0.1% to 25% by weight, of a nonionic surfactant havingthe formula: RO—(C₂H₄O)_(n)H wherein R is C₆-C₂₂ alkyl, C₆-C₂₈ alkylbenzene, and mixtures thereof; n is from to
 20. 20. A compositionaccording to claim 1 further comprising from about 0.01% to 1.5% byweight of a chelating agent selected from the group consisting ofphosphonates, amino carboxylates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic,ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid, or mixtures thereof.